Around 3,000 farmer members of Task Force Mapalad from different towns and cities in Negros Occidental reiterated their call on the government for an extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program during a vigil at the San Sebastian Cathedral in Bacolod City last night.

The group converged in Bacolod after a three-day Walk for Land Reform and Justice which started Monday.

The farmers, some of whom, came from as far as Sagay City from the north and from Kabankalan in the south, shouted, “Land for the poor” and sang Ang Bayan Ko as they raised their torches outside the Bishop's residence last night.

In a statement, the TFM demanded for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to sign as urgent a bill on the extension of the land reform program before the CARP expires in June this year.

The group also called on congressmen Monico Puentevella, Jeffrey Ferrer, and Ignacio Arroyo to “stop blocking the passage of the extension law.”

Meanwhile, the Negros CARP Reform Movement joined the call of the participants of the Walk for Land Reform and Justice.

Convenor Pastor Emmanuel Alano said at a press conference yesterday they believe the land reform program is effective and they want it extended.

NCRM, composed of 12 groups of agrarian reform beneficiaries and advocates, said it believes House Speaker Jose de Venecia can help push for extension of CARP with reforms.

The group also called for a stop to the “delaying tactic” employed by Negrense landlords-representatives in Congress by calling for a review of the land reform program.

Convenor Delia Gerardino said about 40 percent of the CARP covered land in Negros Occidental have yet to be distributed.*PP/NLG

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